TRIP TO KENYA

In October half term 2019, Chrissy and Harry travelled to Kenya, to work in the slums of Nairobi – specifically, in the schools supported by the UK charity ‘Porridge and Rice’. They called it an “incredible experience”, which allowed them to fully realise just how fortunate they were themselves. Coming away from the amazing opportunity, they were keen to share their findings and life-changing memories amongst their network in the UK, and they opened up about their experiences in an assembly following the trip.

From talking to the children in the slums, it became evident to the Wellingtonians that the food they received was frequently their only meal of the day. Through their work with ‘Porridge and Rice’, Chrissy and Harry were able to provide them with wholesome and filling meals every day. They found it extraordinary to consider how easy it was for them to provide two kilos worth of beans, rice and a porridge-like drink at the price of only £2. The work forced them to reflect on the on-tap nature of their own meals in comparison and was an eye-opening but precious experience.

The hard facts of the trip continued when the students took part in conducting a height and weight programme monitoring the children’s growth. Seeing children squeezing their feet into long outgrown trainers was commonplace - they often wore shoes with large holes or even soles completely unattached. Socks frequently lacked toes or heels and often, the childrens feet were exposed. Shoes and clothing are expensive even in the poorest outskirts

of Nairobi, and once again, Chrissy and Harry found it deeply rewarding to ameliorate this problem for many of the children, protecting their safety to play and travel in the act of replacing their shoes and socks.

Perhaps the most shocking condition which Chrissy and Harry helped to work on was in relation to the slums’ infrastructural underdevelopment. An open sewage system runs through the slums’ streets, including a large channel directly outside one of the schools, separating the nursery class and the main school building. Uncovered, the sewage remains a hotbed of disease, often attracting rabid dogs, and the Wellington students helped to plan towards a longer-term project to solve this urgent issue. A marked victory during the visit, however, was the successful installation of a hand-washing station in two schools.

It was clear from Chrissy and Harry’s speech that the experience was gruelling, moving and invaluable – both to themselves as citizens of the world, and more importantly to the children who so urgently needed basic food, clothing and sanitation. The Wellingtonians took their memories home with them and continue to work towards supporting this vital cause.

INTEGRITY